Red Hook Sgt. Patrick Hildenbrand will not face any penalties after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor charge of possessing eavesdropping devices.

Hildenbrand got an "unconditional discharge" sentence, the Columbia County District Attorney's Office said in a news release.

Such a sentence means the 39-year-old Clermont resident will not serve jail time, will not be placed on probation and is not required to adhere to any specific conditions, according to legal definitions.

Hildenbrand has told the Poughkeepsie Journal he made recordings in his home more than a year ago, in order to protect his daughters who "were in a verbally abusive situation."

He was initially charged Thursday with the felony of eavesdropping, and then pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor charge.

“Our client’s No. 1 priority is the safety and well-being of his children, and he did what he felt was appropriate as their father to protect them," said John Ventosa, of the McCabe Martin Coleman & Ventosa law firm, which represented Hildenbrand.

"His No. 2 priority is the safety and well-being of his community," Ventosa added. "He chose to resolve this case in a way that ensures he will be able to continue serving his community as a well-respected and decorated sergeant for the Red Hook Police Department.”

Michael Pascazi, the Fishkill-based lawyer representing the complainant in the matter, told the Journal he urges Village of Red Hook officials "to take a close look at whether or not the crime that Sgt. Hildenbrand pled guilty to rises to the level of a violation of his oath of office, pursuant to Public Officers Law... and thereby, renders his position vacant as a matter of law.

"In my view, given the elements of the crime which Sgt. Hildenbrand pled guilty to, and the facts which Sgt. Hildenbrand freely admitted to the press already, the Village needs to do their homework," Pascazi added. "The residents of the Village of Red Hook deserve nothing less."